"Bark! Bark!"

By breakfast-time the big dog, Ada, ran in from outside. The dog seemed to have played outside early in the morning and its body was so dirty. But Ling Maomao didn't mind it. He called it happily when he was holding a bowl, "Ada!"

"Young master, I'm sorry that I didn't prevent Ada from coming here." The servant standing outside apologized. He came in with Ada and puffed heavily after running. Seeing Ling Zhang was there, he shivered and even knelt down. Then he lowered his head and begged for mercy.

The hall's atmosphere suddenly changed. All the servants there didn't dare to make a noise.

Ling Maomao was confused to look at the servant who knelt down. He didn't understand why the servant was so scared. In fact, his brother didn't say anything.

Only Ada didn't feel the change of atmosphere. It didn't realize its dirty body at all. So it directly ran over to rub against Ling Zhang.

Another servant waiting upon by the side stared at Ada and wanted to prevent the dog. But he didn't know whether he should do it or not. At the moment of indecision, his forehead even sweated.

Ling Zhang put down his chopsticks. When Ada was close to him, he stretched out to touch its head and said kindly, "Where did you go to play? Look at your dirty fur."

Ling Maomao was looking at the servant who knelt down before Ling Zhang said. After hearing his brother's words, Ling Maomao turned his head to look at Ada. Then he said, "I guess it must have been to next door to play with Ahua again."

Ling Zhang raised his eyebrows and asked, "How can you know it played with Ahua?"

Ahua was a female dog that belonged to their neighbor. Ada couldn't even move a step when seeing Ahua, chasing after Ahua all day long.

"I of course know it. I saw it fighting with Ahua in the corner of wall in our backyard last time," Ling Maomao answered.

Did they really fight? Ling Zhang was speechless as he immediately understood the actual meaning of 'fighting'.

So Ling Zhang unhappily stopped touching Ada's head. He looked down at it and scolded, "You scoundrel always fool around."

Ada also realized that Ling Zhang felt angry with it. So it whined sadly and rubbed against Ling Zhang's legs with its head.

"Ada, don't make my brother's clothes dirty. Otherwise we might throw you out." Ling Maomao threatened. He instantly wanted to protect his brother, when he saw that his brother's clothes got dirty after being rubbed by the dog.

Ada raised its head and whined at Ling Maomao.

Ling Maomao was about to stand up with anger. But Ling Zhang patted his shoulder to stop him and said, "Just let it rub. You should focus on having breakfast now and go to school later."

After hearing that, Ling Maomao was instantly out of spirits and wasn't angry at all. He complained, "I just came back yesterday. Should I go to school today?"

"If you don't eat quickly, your father will catch you later and send you to school in person," Ling Zhang said.

After hearing his father would come to get him, Ling Maomao quickly buried himself to the meal. At the same time, he didn't forget to glance at the person kneeling on the ground.

Ling Zhang also looked at the servant and said simply, "Stand up. Don't stop Ada when it comes here in the future. But you can't let it enter my bedroom and study."

"Yes. I get it!" The servant who knelt down said. He picked himself up and wiped the sweat on his forehead.

"Take it out and clean it up." Ling Zhang said.

"Yes!" The servant quickly said and was going to take Ada out.

But Ada stared at the food on the table and didn't want to leave, its eyes glued to the food. Ling Zhang asked the servant to go out with a bowl of Mulberry Leaf Broth and Ada followed him out merrily.

Ling Maomao leaned close to Ling Zhang and asked, "Brother, what happened to that person just now?"

"Nothing. Eat your food quickly."

"Okay."

......

"Is second young master up?" Ling Zhaowen asked a servant after having breakfast.

"My lord, second young master has finished the breakfast with eldest young master. Now he is on the way back and prepares to take his textbooks to school." The servant replied.

Ling Zhaowen nodded satisfactorily and said, "He goes to school actively and doesn't slack today. He finally grows up a little."

"What about eldest young master?" Ling Zhaowen asked again.

"Eldest young master goes to old master's yard." The servant answered.

Why did Ling Zhang find his grandfather early in the morning? Ling Zhaowen was confused.

To Ling Zhaowen's surprise, when he changed into his formal wear and was ready to go to yamen, Ling Xingzhong sent a servant to call him over.

"My lord, old master asks you to see him."

It was the time for Ling Zhaowen to go to yamen. His father wouldn't demand his presence if there was nothing important. Ling Zhaowen thought it might be related to his nephew's visit to his father this morning.

"Okay. I'll go there now."

When Ling Zhaowen arrived, he just saw his father. Ling Zhang wasn't there.

"Father, what do you want to say to me?"

Ling Xingzhong pointed at the chair and said, "Sit down before we have a talk."

"A long talk?" Ling Zhaowen thought. Then he sat down after slight hesitation as it was unnecessary for him to arrive at yamen on time. He could be a little late.

"I ask you, did you tell Zhang the engagement with Yuwen Family?" Ling Xingzhong looked at Ling Zhaowen seriously.

Ling Zhaowen was stunned, "No, I didn't."

Ling Xingzhong frowned, "Are you sure?"

"Yes. How dare I lie to you?" Ling Zhaowen said. Then he instantly thought of Ling Zhang's visit to Ling Xingzhong this morning. He asked, "Father, did Zhang say something to you?"

"He wants to break off the engagement with Yuwen Family," Ling Xingzhong said.

"Break off the engagement?" Ling Zhaowen was shocked. It almost immediately reminded him what Ling Zhang had said about his dream yesterday.

At that time, Ling Zhaowen just felt astonished about the dream's content and didn't have time to explain the engagement with Yuwen Family. But his nephew was so smart. He was afraid that his nephew had already been sure that the engagement was real.

Therefore, Ling Zhang couldn't wait to tell Ling Xingzhong that he wanted to break off the engagement early in this morning.

Ling Zhaowen thought about much in a short time and felt that he had touched the truth. But he didn't know that Ling Zhang didn't have to confirm the engagement with him at all.

Ling Zhaowen was a little guilty. According to his inference, maybe he was really the person who leaked the news to Ling Zhang. But he didn't dare to confess it to his father.

"Well, father, what do you say about that?"

"That's why I sent for you. I also want to know your opinion." Ling Xingzhong looked at him.

Ling Zhaowen calmed down and considered it for a while before saying, "Yuwen Family hasn't contacted with us for so many years since you left the capital. If they want to admit the engagement, they won't alienate us."

"That's because the old General Yuwen passed away. His second son has the say in Yuwen Family now and Yuwen Tong has been guarding the frontier all these years," Ling Xingzhong said.

"So what? No one in Yuwen Family knows the engagement besides the old General Yuwen? I don't believe that even if you do," Ling Zhaowen said.

"So you agree with Zhang to break off the engagement?" Ling Xingzhong asked.

Ling Zhaowen nodded certainly and said, "It is true that there have been many examples that two men get married since Yue Dynasty existed. One of our emperors once married a man. However, only few people do that and most of people feel it disgusting. As for Yuwen Family, its first branch only has one son, which is Yuwen Tong. I'm afraid they also want Yuwen Tong to marry a woman. We will humiliate ourselves if we insist the engagement. Besides, our Ling Family's status is much lower than Yuwen Family. Ling Zhang is also a man. How can we elders have the heart to let him marry into Yuwen Family and be trapped in a man's backyard?"

After hearing Ling Zhaowen's words, Ling Xingzhong's serious expression softened a bit.

Ling Zhaowen was so clever that when seeing his father's face softening, he quickly knew that his father had already made a decision. His father just wanted to sound out his intention. With this realization, he didn't know whether he should cry or laugh.

"Father, do you think I will force Zhang to marry into Yuwen Family in order to strengthen the tie?"

Ling Xingzhong said, "After all, you are an official now. If he marries into Yuwen Family, they will promote you naturally to maintain their dignity."

Ling Zhaowen almost wanted to show the white of his eyes. But he had to maintain his public image. He said, "Father, in my heart, Zhang is more important than my position."

When Ling Xingzhong realized that his son didn't want Ling Zhang to marry into Yuwen Family, he heaved a sigh of relief in his heart. But he couldn't help feeling pitiful for the old General Yuwen. He said, "The old General Yuwen is a good man. His family are loyal to our country for generations and guard the border with their lives for Yue Dynasty. Yuwen Tong is also a real genius. He reverses the decline of Yue Dynasty and guards the border to make sure Yue Dynasty's safety. If they can treat Zhang well and don't constrain him, I quite like the idea of Zhang marrying Yuwen Tong. But it's a pity that Yuwen Family haven't showed their attitude for so many years. I won't ask for a snub. In fact, I want to write a letter to break off the engagement later. But I didn't expect that Zhang would mention it first."

"Father, that being the case, you don't need to feel it a pity. Just do it," Ling Zhaowen said.

Ling Xingzhong nodded and said, "I've written a letter about breaking off the engagement, right there on the desk. You bring it to yamen and find a reliable man to deliver it to capital."

Ling Zhaowen had guessed that in his heart. His father had already made a decision. Then Ling Zhaowen stood up and walked to the desk where a letter was placed. After reading it, he folded it and put it into an envelop, sealing it with a stamp on its adhesive place.

"Father, why not ask our butler to go to capital with the messenger?" Ling Zhaowen said.

Ling Xingzhong thought it for a moment before saying, "Okay. Let him also go then."

Ling Zhaowen went to the study's door and asked the servant to bring butler here. Then he told the butler about this matter.

The butler promised, "Master, second master, please rest assured. I will see to it that the letter is delivered to Yuwen Family. But there are some things here that I have to arrange before leaving. Besides, master asked me to observe the servants in Ling Family yesterday..."

The butler had no idea about the content in the letter. But he didn't ask.

"You just need to arrange other things. I will observe the servants by myself," Ling Xingzhong said.

"Well, I'm going to arrange these things soon. Two hours later, I will go to yamen to find second master." The butler said.

Ling Zhaowen nodded, "Go ahead."

After the butler left, Ling Zhaowen went to yamen with the envelop.

*

In his yard, Ling Zhang soon got the clear reply from Ling Xingzhong.

Knowing the letter was going to be sent to capital, Ling Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that a part of his anxiety and depression was removed.

Ling Zhang was clear that the engagement would be good for Ling Family if he used it well. But he didn't want to do that. He just wanted to end it as soon as possible.

He wished the letter could be sent to capital successfully.

In the next few days, Ling family was still in a depressing atmosphere because several servants were fired one after another these days. Although they were given some sliver for their next step when they left, they lost a good job after leaving Ling family. So none of them felt happy.

Of course, there was one or two who did not get the silver. With broken legs, they were put into the government prison directly.

Ling family's action was clear-cut and that didn't hide from the Jia family who had paid attention to Ling family's every move carefully. As soon as the servant of Jia family ran back to Jia's home, he told Jia Yin all he had inquired these days.

"One of those who were sent to the prison with broken legs is the one we set in Ling family one year ago. He was about to gain Ling Zhaowen's trust. And he could have direct interaction with Ling Zhaowen and enter his study room to serve him later. I didn't expect him to be caught and directly sent to the prison." The servant who came back to inform said.

With his face black with rage, Jia Yin asked, "Did that person confess anything?"

The servant nervously wiped the sweat on his forehead, and replied, "There is no news to date. Tao Yi and Ling Zhaowen are guarding the government prison closely, so our people can't get in."

Jia Yin clenched his fists tightly and banged them on the table heavily, "Ling Zhaowen, such an ignorant man, acted so fast! Go to invite Second Master, hope that he will find a way to visit Ling'er in the prison, and get some messages from the one who is being arrested."

"Yes!" The servant answered immediately and then rushed out to find Jia Zhong.

......

In Ling family, Ling Zhang's yard was the place where the atmosphere was the most serious.

Among the people who were fired this time, nearly half of them were from Ling Zhang's yard. It was not because those servant all had problems, but because they didn't meet Ling Zhang's requirement after these days' observations. So they were sent out with some silver.

And those who stayed were all nervous.

"Young Master, with so many people being sent away, is it necessary to hire some new servants?" Xiafeng asked Ling Zhang.

"No hurry, this yard is not so large, and I don't need so many people here. And the rest servants here still need a period of observation," Ling Zhang answered unhurriedly.

Xiafeng was dazed, 'Will Young Master continue firing some people?'

"Place quality above quantity," Ling Zhang said.

After this sentence, Ling Zhang changed the subject asked, "Is uncle back?"

Xiafeng replied, "This servant has already sent a man to wait at the front door. Since he has not come back to report, so Second Master is not back yet."

Ling Zhang wanted to know if the men who would escort Jia Yuanling to the frontier for banishment were decided or not, and if his uncle had arranged everything perfectly. Did the butler and those people who went to the capital arrive? He didn't know why he was always feeling so uneasy. Somehow, he just got the feeling that it would not be so easy to send the divorce paper to the capital.

'Pooh! I'm overthinking,' Ling Zhang despised himself in the heart.

"Oops..." Being immersed in his thought too much, Ling Zhang inadvertently touched the aching point on his body. These days, he had followed Wang Dashan to do exercise every morning. Wang Dashan was in no hurry to teach Ling Zhang basic skills, but told him to limber up his body first. Wang Dashan just took him for a run and some stretches every morning. Ling Zhang never quit in the middle, finishing the two-hour exercise every time. Although Ling Zhang would apply medicated oil to soothe the muscle pain after every exercise, his body was still aching. And it hurt so badly that he winced every time when the muscles were accidentally pulled.

However, it was better to feel the pain. The more painful he was, the more it proved that he really existed and the more he could feel that he was reborn, which led him to feel more secure and determined.

And after these days' observation of the guardians' situation, he had a plan in mind.

Having spent the last few days observing his house guards, Ling Zhang realized that the level of skills possessed by the guards of his family varied; some of them had genuine skills while others just wanted to put food on their table.

It was impossible for them to truly protect the Ling family from rampant bandits or the prefecture guards.

The first thought that occurred to Ling Zhang was to fire the incompetent ones and keep only those with real skills.

The second idea involved finding a way to train his men to become an elite group of guards!

Alas, his knowledge in the art of war was too shallow to give his guards a soldier's training. But he could still apply the tactics that his mother had taught him!

According to ancient history, the Eight-Diagram Tactics could be employed to trap enemies. This fact had been emphasized over and over again since antiquity until it became a legend. Now, driven by need, Ling Zhang found himself remembering a lot of knowledge about tactics and formations that he had previously forgotten. The Eight-Diagram Tactics was one of them and, considering its legendary status, he thought it was definitely worth a try.

Well, it was probably impossible for them to achieve the miraculous things that the Eight-Diagram Tactics did, but it was totally possible for him to strengthen the fighting capacity of the guards and to make the guards of Ling family a force to be reckoned with.

As for the exact tactics to be used or how to incorporate it in training, Ling Zhang hadn't come up with anything concrete yet, just some rough ideas.

Besides eliminating incompetent guards, it was also necessary to test the characters of the guards to make sure that those who stayed had the ability to keep secrets.

Because of his idea, Ling Zhang was trying to remember everything about tactics these days. Whenever he got a minute, he would shut himself in his study and draw out everything he could recall. Luckily, the memories were very fresh, as if he had just memorized them yesterday.

Then again, it was a pity, because his drawings were all he had at the moment; the books on tactics left behind by his mother had already been burnt by his father.

"Young master, the second master is back!"

The servant's announcement pulled Ling Zhang out of his thoughts.

Ling Zhang got up and left his courtyard to look for Ling Zhaowen.

"Uncle, have you arranged the men who would escort Jia Yuanling?" The uncle and niece discussed this affair after they entered the study and dismissed the servant.

Ling Zhaowen nodded, "Yes, I've done that already. The men who escort Jia Yuanling are Lord Tao's. So it took me quite a while to convince them into this."

"It won't go wrong, right?" Ling Zhang felt uneasy when he heard that the men were Tao Feng's followers.

Ling Zhaowen chuckled, "Don't worry. It's going to be fine. You're forgetting that Tao Feng is now on the same boat with us. Even if he knew our plan, he would turn a blind eye. He will never expose us."

"The falling-out between Jia Family and Zhang Chong benefits not only us, but Tao Feng as well."

Not that Ling Zhang couldn't see it through, but because of the ordeals that he'd been through in his previous life, he developed a sense of wariness and vigilance against anyone other than his immediate family members.